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On June 21, the 26th Shanghai International Film Festival’s main competition entry STARFALL held a meet-the-creator session. Director Zhang Dalei, along with lead stars Liang Jingdong, Huang Lili, and Zhang Ninghao, shared captivating stories about the film’s creation.
A story based on real-life prototypes
STARFALL depicts a story based on real-life prototypes, notably a tree planter from Shaanxi. Initially uncertain about filming, director Zhang Dalei felt, “I thought presenting the real-life figures through data or their mere existence would suffice, leaving room for creative interpretation in the film.” After numerous discussions, they endeavored to “find a narrative that both expresses ourselves and aligns with the theme”.
From the prototype, Zhang Dalei observed a shared trait in the characters of STARFALL: “clumsy yet resolute in pursuing ideals”.
Actor Liang Jingdong disclosed his dialogue with his inner self in the unique and quiet desert filming environment, fostering a strong desire to shape the character Old Zhang.
This series might continue in the future
Performers Huang Lili and Zhang Ninghao have cooperated with Zhang Dalei several times. Huang Lili, who also starred in previous works by Zhang Dalei like STARS AWAIT US, reunited for STARFALL. Reflecting on the challenging shoot, Huang Lili mentioned the isolated desert location with no cell signal, where actors shot early till dark, feeling disconnected from reality, the urban life, and the era.
Zhang Ninghao continued his role as Xiaowei in this film and recalled anecdotes from the set of STARFALL. Filming in hot weather sometimes evoked childhood memories of Inner Mongolia summers for him. This contrasted sharply with his experience filming STARS AWAIT US during winter, a place of starkly different tones and emotional landscapes.
Producer Gao Yitian introduced STARFALL as the inaugural film under the “Nameless” project initiated by directors Wen Muye and Bi Gan through collaboration.
The screenwriter Xiao Rui collaborated with director Zhang Dalei on three feature films, STARS AWAIT US, THE SUMMER IS GONE, STARFALL, as well as the series WHY TRY TO CHANGE ME NOW. He divided Zhang Dalei’s works into two categories “one is realistic, with compassion and kindness, like THE SUMMER IS GONE and WHY TRY TO CHANGE ME NOW, while the other is filled with romantic poetic sentiments, like STARS AWAIT US and STARFALL”.
He mentioned that STARFALL is a film set in the desert, exploring themes of ideals and life. He indicated that this series might continue in the future.